i8o CENTURY OF ENGLISH FOX-HUNTING 



if anyone were to tell me that you had got a wasp's 

 nest inside your breeches, I should be very glad to 

 hear it." I think my readers will agree with me that 

 a more suitable punishment for the user of wire 

 fencing in a hunting country could scarcely be 

 devised. 



It was on the 5 th of December, 1878, when the 

 death of Whyte-Melville occurred while hunting with 

 the V.W.H. Hounds. It is no exaggeration to say 

 that the event was regarded as a public calamity. 

 At first it could hardly be credited that so good a 

 rider, a man possessing such knowledge and judg- 

 ment in everything appertaining to hunting, should 

 have met with such a fate. But the news was soon 

 confirmed, and a feeling of the deepest sorrow and 

 regret prevailed amongst all classes. It was truly 

 said at the time that to attempt any panegyric upon 

 him would be superfluous, for his memory will remain 

 as long as English sport and English literature 

 flourish. His death was alluded to in the Field as 

 follows : " Whyte - Melville, the kindly friend, the 

 genial fellow-sportsman, the hearty companion, the 

 courteous, chivalrous gentleman. Wherever Ije lived 

 he endeared himself; wherever he rode, he rode for 

 the love of hunting, without selfishness, without 

 jealousy. Out of the natural kindheartedness of a 

 clever man grew the knack and habit which at all 

 times prompted him to say the right thing, the 

 nice thing to whomsoever he was thrown across. 

 He has had imitators, disciples, rivals — most of them 



